GREGOR has spent his working life dealing with explosive situations.

Now, retired from active service as a bomb disposal officer, he faces a few potential blow-ups at home.

His wife Ann (Nichola McAuliffe) teeters on killer heels and the edges of hysteria as her dreams of domestic bliss slide away.

And, when Alistair (Tom Cotcher), a TV documentary journalist arrives for dinner with a wife - who turns out to be Gregor's former mistress - in tow, the charges are well and truly set.

To add spice, there is a real unexploded bomb being used against hostages, by one of Gregor's old adversaries. Will he be called out of retirement to help?

Terry Mackay's new play, with its uncannily apt allusions, was written before this summer's London bombings and opened during the Edinburgh Festival.

Timothy West is an impressive Gregor, a big prowling bear of a man who becomes a public hero but a private failure.

Guy Retallack directs at spanking pace and there's strong support from Tom Cotcher, Nichola McAuliffe and Carolyn Backhouse as Mima.

National Hero continues at Malvern Theatres until Saturday, before transferring to the West End.

LG